Dodgers Fans Face Tough Choice: Playoff Baseball or Work
Fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers are grappling with a challenging decision as Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies is scheduled to start at 3:08 p.m. local time on October 5, 2023. The timing of the game overlaps with traditional work hours, forcing many to weigh the option of requesting time off against their professional responsibilities.
For fans like Taylor Matthews, an operations manager who also runs a Dodgers fan account on X, the situation is particularly tricky. “If a game is at 6 p.m., you can skip out an hour early,” he explained. “But a game at 3 p.m. really requires you to be out of work by 12 and on your way to the stadium by 1 just to be in your seat by first pitch.” This requires a more significant request for time off, making it a more complicated choice for fans.
East Coast Fans Have a Better Deal
In contrast, fans in Philadelphia enjoy a more favorable viewing window, with the first pitch set for 6:08 p.m. (ET). This timing allows them to watch both the playoff game and the Philadelphia Eagles as they face the New York Giants in a Thursday Night Football matchup later that evening. The Eagles game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. (ET), meaning fans can enjoy both sporting events without conflict.
The staggered start times benefit the Phillies, as there is less competition for television viewership within the Philadelphia market. In Los Angeles, however, fans may find themselves stuck in traffic or still at their desks when the game begins. This situation highlights the frustration of Dodgers supporters who feel that the scheduling decisions lack consideration for their local audience.
Frustration Over Scheduling Decisions
Matthews expressed his disappointment, stating, “It feels like the time is more about TV viewership. How many people are going to sit down and watch the game at 3 p.m. in L.A.? It’s a decision with no feel for the market or the games.” The scheduling choice contrasts sharply with the first two playoff home games for the Dodgers, which both started at 6 p.m. (PT) and drew large crowds.
Grace Del Pizzo, a multimedia journalist at OnPattison.com, noted that if the Eagles were not playing that night, the Phillies game would likely have started even later. “I don’t think MLB wants the Phillies to go head to head against the Eagles for the majority of that game. They know they wouldn’t win that battle,” she said. This sentiment resonates with many Dodgers fans, who are left to decide whether to prioritize their work commitments or their team during a critical playoff matchup.
As the clock ticks down to game time, Dodgers fans are left with tough choices and the potential for difficult conversations with their managers. The allure of playoff baseball is strong, but so too are the responsibilities of the workday. Whether they choose to stay at their desks or make a dash for Dodger Stadium, one thing is certain: the stakes are high in both the game and their professional lives.
